Marco Rossi says he feels good about his game and is enjoying the standard set by Manny Malhotra

The Story

Vancouver Canucks forward Marco Rossi says he is entering the new season with optimism after a summer focused on training and early preparation for camp.

Now in his fifth full NHL season, Rossi described his offseason work as productive, saying he completed his training in the summer and came back to Vancouver early before training camp began. He said he felt good about his game when he arrived.

Rossi also tied his early-season outlook to his impressions of Vancouver’s coaching staff, speaking about head coach Manny Malhotra and the expectations set during training camp. Rossi said he appreciates Malhotra’s professionalism and the standard the coach established, describing the message as one that leaves players with no “off day” and that preparation is required for every day on the ice.

In Rossi’s account, Malhotra’s playing background and day-to-day presence make the coaching message easier to understand. Rossi said the coach has played the game and therefore knows it, pointing to Malhotra’s involvement during practice as part of the learning environment.

Rossi added that his summer included not only individual training but community and hockey-development work. He hosted a hockey camp in Austria, highlighting what he sees as growing interest in the sport in his home country and noting that he hopes to help younger players by encouraging them to believe their path to the NHL is possible.

The forward said he remembers looking up to other NHL players when he was younger and connected that inspiration to his own journey. He cited Thomas Vanek as an example he once followed, and described his current position in the league as a realisation of the same dream he shared with many young players.

Personal milestones also marked Rossi’s summer. He said he got married in Italy at Lake Como, calling the day memorable. He also marked his 25th birthday alongside Canucks Insider host Chris Faber in the context of the podcast episode.

Taken together, Rossi’s comments place early-season emphasis on preparation, accountability during camp, and maintaining momentum from offseason training, while also highlighting continued involvement in hockey development and personal life events outside the rink.